Hand operated printer with translatable keyboard



Jan. 11, 1966 s. H. YOUNG 3,228,507

HAND OPERATED PRINTER WITH TRANSLATABLE KEYBOARD Filed Nov. 6, 1961 5Sheets-Sheet l Jan. 11, 1966 s. H. YOUNG 3,228,507

HAND OPERATED PRINTER WITH TRANSLATABLE KEYBOARD Filed Nov. 6, 1961 5Sheets-Sheet 2 FIG. 2

Jan. 11, 1966 5, YOUNG 3,228,507

HAND OPERATED PRINTER WITH TRANSLATABLE KEYBOARD Filed Nov. 6, 1961 5Sheets-Sheet 5 FIG.5

S. H. YOUNG Jan. 11, 1966 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Nov. 6, 1961 WRITTEJan. 11, 1966 s. H. YOUNG 3,228,507

HAND OPERATED PRINTER WITH TRANSLATABLE KEYBOARD Filed Nov. 6, 1961 5Sheets-Sheet 5 United States Patent C) 3,228,507 HAND OPERATED PRINTERWITH TRANSLATABLE KEYBOARD Sam H. Young, Beaumont, Tex. (3841 Heywood,Fort Worth, Tex.) Filed Nov. 6, 1961, Ser. No. 150,410 18 Claims. (Cl.197-2) This invention rel-ates to a machine for printing numbers orcharacters on any firm surface and at any desired location on suchsurface and more particularly to a platenless printer operated by onehand.

In the preparation of machine drawings and the like various expedientshave been resorted to in order to print letters, reference charactersand other symbols which are neat and are of uniform appearance. In somecases typewriter carriages have been so designed as to accommodatesheets of drawing paper of substantial size in order that such legendscan be applied directly through use of conventional type. However, suchmachines are not adaptable to special tasks without an undue amount oflabor and time-consuming ellort. Since in technical drawing much of thework involves the application of legends and various operations otherthan line work, it has been found desirable to provide a printing devicewhich may have some of the attributes of the more well-known typewrtterbut which can be positioned at any point over a drawing board, clipboard or other sheet material and operated to provide clear, concise anduniformly appearing legends. At the same time the device must be capableof being readily moved from one location to another and must beadaptable to various environments in order to be of greatest utility.

In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a platenlessprinter which comprises a plurality of rows and columns of type barsforming a grid having ranks and colums. Each rank is mounted forindependent lateral movement relative to any other rank. A first linkageextends to the grid for moving a selected rank out of the grid along theline of the rank. A second linkage is provided for actuating a selectedkey column in the selected rank for imprinting at a selected location asymbol corresponding with the selected rank and column.

In accordance with a further aspect of the invention there is provided aprinter which is movable over a work surface stepwise in either of twomutually perpendicular directions and operable under the control of onehand for selecting any symbol in a grid of symbols.

For a more complete understanding of the present invention and forfurther objects and advantages thereof, reference may now be had to thefollowing description taken in conjunction with the accompanyingdrawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the fourprinter of the presentinvention;

FIG. 2 is a front view of the printer;

7 FIG. 3 is a top view of the printer;

FIG. 4 is an end view of the printer;

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating linkages in the printer mechanism;

FIG. 6 illustrates a linkage for controlling the spacing for successivesymbols;

FIG. 7 is a front view of the type bar array with one row of bars movedto a printing position;

FIG. 8 is a top view of the system illustrated in FIG. 7;

FIG. *9 is a side view showing six ranks of bars with one bar in aprinting position;

FIG. 10 illustrates a character selector linkage; and

FIG. 11 illustrates the mechanical linkage for a carriage shiftoperation.

Referring now to FIGS. 1-4, there is illustrated a printer unit 10 whichis mounted on a guide bar -11, FIG. 1. Guide bar 11 is coupled to a sidebar 12. In the application illustrated the side bar 12 is secured 'bybrackets 13 and 14 to one edge of a drafting table over which theprinter 10 is to be operated for application to a sheet 15 of selectedsymbols and numerals. The guide bar 11 is terminated at the right handend thereof as viewed in FIG. 1 in a linkage to a roller 16 which isadapted to darry the weight of the guide bar 11 and the printer 10 asthe printer is moved over the surface of the paper 15. The bar 12extends through a slot in the guide bar 11 where :a mechanism isprovided as will hereinafter be described which is adapted to permitmovement of the printer 10 to any vertical position on the paper 15 andto any lateral position thereon.

The fourprinter includes a keyboard on which four key 14 appear. Thekeys are supported at the ends of rods 25-28, respectively. The rods25-28 are slidable into and out of elements within the frame plate 29 inorder to select one of the six ranks of symbols, the nature of whichappear on the top plate 30, FIG. 2. It will be noted that the letters A,B, C and D form the top rank along with the numerals 1, 2, 3 and 4. Itwill also be noted that there are eight columns where not only are thesymbols AD and numerals 1-4 the elements of the first rank but also arethe first elements of the eight columns.

In accordance with the present invention the Key 1 serves to control orselect the letter or symbol from the two left hand columns headed bysymbols A and 1. The Key 2 is provided for selecting the third andfourth columns headed by the letter B and the numeral 2, respectively.Key 3 is provided for selecting the fifth and sixth columns headed bythe letter C and the numeral 3, respectively. In a like manner, the Key4 is provided for selecting the seventh and eighth columns headed by theletter D and the numeral 4, respectively.

By moving the keys as a unit into and out of the printer 10, the rank isselected, the selection being indicated visually by the marker 31. Agiven key is then depressed to select one of the four pairs of columns.The left hand column in each pair may be selected prior to depressing akey 'by moving the lever 32 to the left. The right hand column of eachpair similarly may be selected by actuating the lever 33 to the right.Levers 32 and 33 extend forward from the frame plate 29 immediatelyabove the Keys 1-4 and may be operated by a slight movement thereof tothe left and to the right respectively for the selection of letter ornumeral columns. As will further be explained, the type bars areprovided for printing either upper case or lower case letters and largeor small numerals. A selector lever 34 positioned in the upper left handcorner of the front plate 29 and operated by the forefinger selectedupper case or lower case letters or large or small numerals.

Spacer bar 35, partially broken away in FIG. 1, extends across the frontof the keyboard in the area that would be occupied by the palm of thehand when cupped to place the fingers into contact with the keys.Depression of the spacer bar will move the entire printer unit 10 onespace along the bar 11. It will be noted that the bar 11 in the form ofa rectangular tube is slotted along the top face thereof. Tube or bar 11includes an internally supported rack in which a spiral gear operates toeffect the stepwise movement of the unit 10 across the face of the paper15.

A vertical slot 40 in the left hand portion of the unit 10 extendingfrom the base in the front plate and through the top plate almost to therear wall is provided to permit the selected type bar to be rotateddownwardly to strike the paper 15 for imprinting thereon .a givenlegend. As indicated in each of FIGS. 1-4, a type bar 114 has beenillustrated in a printing position indicating that a legend is beingimpressed upon the paper 15 at a type impact point hereinafter referredto as TIP.

Before turning to the more detailed mechanisms illustrated in FIGS.5-11, it may be of assistance in order to follow the linkages and theforce paths in the detailed system to explain further the logic or thebasis upon which a printing operation is performed.

As previously noted, Keys 14 select the first, second, third or fourthpairs of columns of symbols, respectively. The Keys 14 are linkedtogether for common movement toward and away from the operator so thatany one of six ranks of type bars may be selected. An operator wishingto print out an A (capital form) first operates the lever 34 to depressit to the upper case position U; then, with fingers in all four of theKeys l-4, moves the keys toward the body of the unit so that the loopmarker 31 indicates a selection of the top nank. The column selector 32is actuated to select the left hand column. Key 1 is then depressed. Thedepression of Key 1 bodily moves an entire rank of type bars forming theupper rank, i.e., A1, B2, C3, D4, leftward from a storage position to aprint position. A stop element preselects a stop position for the ranksuch that a type bar carrying the -legend A is in registration with theslot 40. The further depression of Key 1 causes the type bar to rotatedownwardly through the slot 40 to strike the paper 15. Upon release ofKey 1, the type bar carrying the letter A, under spring pressure, isrotated back into its position in the first rank and the rank is thenreturned to its storage position. In accordance with the presentinvention and as will hereinafter appear, the amount by which the unit10 is spaced during key depression for printing each symbol depends uponsymbol size, there being provided three different lengths of steps forsuch Operation to accommodate three different Widths of letters. Afterhaving written one line, the unit 10 and bar 11 may be moved as a Wholeeither upward or downward over the paper to a second line position, theposition being indicated by an index line 39 on top of bar 11 next towheel 316 so that a second line may be written. The entire carriage orunit 10 may be returned horizontal- 1y along bar 11 to adjust thelateral position of the TIP.

With the foregoing brief description, it will now be of interest toconsider the detailed mechanical linkages illustrated in FIGS. 5-'ll inorder that an understanding of the structure of the printer system maybe had. In all of the figures where a type bar has been moved out to theTIP position, the letter N has been selected. It Will be noted that theletter N is in the fourth rank from the top and is in the fifth columnfrom the left as viewed in FIG. 2. All of the following explanation willbe based upon the selection of the letter N. The elements of the systemhave been shown fragmentarily in order to illustrate the selection ofthe symbol N. It will be understood that the additional elements areincluded for selection of all of the elements. However, it would bedifiicult to illustrate all such elements and linkages therebetweenwithin the limits of the patent drawing and still render a clearunderstanding thereof.

In FIG. 5, it will be noted that the Keys 1-4 are connected to bars 41,42, 43 and 44, respectively, which extend forward of the keys. Extendingrearward of the Keys 1-4 are rods 25, 26, 27 and 28. The latter rods areslidably mounted in the actuating columns 45, 46, 47 and 48. The lattercolumns are journaled in slideways with the ribs, such as rib 45a andrib 45b, being adapted to guide the bar 45 as it moves upward anddownward in its slide upon depression of Key 1. The ends of the bars4144 carry slotted yokes such as the yoke 50. The shaft 51 carryingsuitable mating rollers such as the roller 52 extends through all of theyokes which are upwardly directed from the bars 41,,44 respectively. TheKeys 1-4 are moved backward and forward in unison since they are alllinked to the shaft 51.

The elongated slots in the yokes, such as yoke 50, are provided in orderto permit a given key to be depressed unaccompanied by movement of theshaft 51 or by the other three keys. Thus, the translation of the shaft51 as the keys are moved forward or back serves to move a detentfollower block 53 slidably mounted in the frame portion (not shown). Thedetent follower block has six depressions spaced at uniform intervalsalong the sides thereof. The depressions are numbered 1-6 and representrespectively the positions of Keys 1-4 as they select the ranks 16 ofthe legends. A detent roller 54 is mounted on a shaft 55 which in turnis mounted on an arm 56 which is rotatable relative to shaft 57. Acompression spring 58 urges the arm 56 towards the edge of the block 53so that the follower 54 will sink into a given groove depending upon theposition of the Keys 1-4 and will tend to maintain the Keys 1-4 in oneof the six positions. Thus, an operator is provided an indication, whichcan be readily interpreted through practice, as to the exact selectionhe has effected through movement of the keys.

The follower 53 carries a stub shaft 60 which operates in a slot 61 in acrank 62. The crank 62 pivots around shaft 63. The upper endof the crankhas a slot 64 therein which coacts with a stub shaft 65. The shaft 65 ismounted upon a selector'bar 66. As the Keys 14 are moved backward andforward, the selector bar 66 is moved backward and forward in proportionto the movement of the keys.

The selector bar 66 has a tongue 67 :at one end thereof which coactswith a clevis device 68 to slide the latter device along the splinedshaft 69. In each of the six positions of the Keys 14 the clevis 68 isin registration wit-h the upper ends of a pair of tines 70 formingextensions of a slide bar 71. There are six such slide bars provided inthe completed system, one slide bar for each of the six nanks of keys.Only one slide bar has been illustrated for the purpose of simplicity.

The slide bar body 71 extends laterally across the printer structure andis aligned with and connected to a shaft 72. The shaft 72 carries eightselector stop tabs such as the tabs '73 and 74. Normally all eight tabson a given shaft are in parallel alignment extending upward from shaft72 and tilted forward toward the keyboard. However, as has beenillustrated, one of the tabs, the tab 74, has been rotated rearward,away from the keyboard, and serves to provide a character selector stopdepending upon the one of the Keys 1-4 that has been depressed and theposition of the column selectors 32 and 33. It will be noted that thecharacter tab 74 is the fifth tab from the left hand end of the group oftabs mounted on the shaft 72. This corresponds with the position in thethird rank of keys of the character N. Also mounted on the shaft 72 isthe third rank of type bars which include type bar 114. The type bars ofthe third rank are journaled at their lower ends on the shaft 72 but arerestrained from axial movement relative to the shaft so that as shaft 72moves laterally in the direction of the arrow 75, the entire third rankof type bars must move. The slide bar 71 under control of the crank arm68 pushes the shaft 72 to the left to translate the third rank of keysfrom the orderly array or' the normal position thereof. The distancethat the rank of keys is moved is dependent upon the one of thecharacter tabs selected and moved out of its normal position prior tomovement of the slide bar 71.

Thus far there has been described the preliminary selection of a givenrank. It has also been indicated that the selected rank is movedlaterally to the left from its normal position in the array. There willnow be described the linkages for effecting the actual movement of agiven rank. More particularly as Key 3 is "depressed, for printing thesymbol *N, action of the following nature takes sesame place. Thedepression of the Key 3 serves to move one of eight slide bars in adirection away from the keyboard. The eight slide bars have beenidentified as bars 81-88. The bar 85 would be moved away from thekeyboard in a sliding motion perpendicular to shaft 72 by depression ofKey 3.

For clarity in the drawing, such action has been illus* trated in detailwith respect to movement of the seventh slide ba-r 87 rather than forthe fifth bar 85. More particularly, depression of Key 4 moved the keyslide 48 downward. The column 48 has a milled section near the upper endand on the rear face thereof. A cam recess 90 is milled in the back faceof the column 48. A cam follower 91 carried by a crank arm 92 andmounted on a shaft 93 is rotated in a clockwise direction when thecolumn 48 is moved downwardly. The shaft 93 is journaled in a bearingunit 94 and carries a crank arm 95 which has a cam follower which isjournaled in a cam recess 96 in the end of the selector bar 87. Thisserves to move the selector bar away from the keyboard. It will be notedthat the shaft 93 carries a pair of rings 97 and 98 between which thereextends a follower arm 99 which is connected to a column selector bar100. The selector bar 100 is connected to the arm 33. It is alsoconnected to the arm 32, but the latter is not shown in FIG. 2. Movementof the bar 100 to the right will shift the shaft 93 so that the crankarm 95 will be in registration with the right hand selector bar 88 ofthe right hand pair of selector bars. A similar selection means isprovided for each of the pairs of selector bars so that when Key 3 isdepressed, selector bars 85 or 86 will be moved away from the keyboard,depending upon the position of the keys 32 and 33.

The selector bars 8188 are provided with a plurality of aligned groovesin the under-surface thereof. The shape of the latter grooves is bestshown in FIG. 10. More particularly, the bar 85 shown in FIG. 10 has sixsloping grooves and six grooves oriented perpendicular to the length ofthe bar in FIG. 5. It will be noted that the selector stop 74 has beenrotated to a vertical position whereas the remainder of the stops on theshaft 72 remain in their normal tilted position. All of the selectorbars 81-88 have identical sets of grooves. In their normal position allof the grooves are in alignment so that a rank of type bars can be movedlaterally with the selector stops free to move in the grooves. Themovement of one of the selector bars rotates the given selector stopinto alignment with a vertical groove. As indicated in FIG. 5, theselector stop 74 then is moved laterally with the shaft 72 until itstrikes a shift arm 106. The shift arm 106 forms a part of a crankmechanism which is mounted for rotation about shaft 107. As the selectorstop hits the shift arm 106, it rotates the crank arm 108 which in turnrotates a second crank 109. Crank 109 is connected to a sleeve 110 whichis mounted for rotation about a shaft 111. The latter movement serves tomodify the spacing movement of the unit 10 relative to the bar 11.However, as the shaft 72 continues its movement in the left handdirection by rotating the crank 108, it carries the stop 74 with ituntil it strikes the end of the groove. At that point the entire rank ofkeys is arrested in its travel. Thus, a given key, for example, thecharacter N, is moved out so that the bottom gear portion of the key bar114, extending below the shaft 72, is in registration with a rack 113.Rack 113 is a type bar actuating member or element which engages thelower end of any type bar in registration therewith.

Movement of the rack away from the keyboard, as will now be explained,rotates the type bar 114 in a clockwise direction so that the type facethereon strikes the paper 15 at the TIP. The actual striking action isproduced by the continued depression of the key. Note that as Key 4descends, the column 48 continues its downward travel until the armstrikes a follower 121 which is mounted on a crank arm 122. The crankarm 122 is a journaled on a shaft 123. The shaft 123, which is normallyurged in a clockwise direction by a spring (not shown), carries a disk124 at its left end which in turn carries a stub shaft 125. The stubshaft 125 strikes the upper surface of a strike-r bar 1 26. The bar 126is pivoted around shaft 127 and is maintained in an up position by theforce of a spring 128. The end of the bar 126 is forked to engage a stubshaft 129 which is integrally connected to a rack 130. The rack 130engages a pinion 131 mounted on a shaft 132 which in turn is connectedto a sector gear 133. The gear 133 meshes with a rack 134 which in turnis coupled by way of the strap 135 to the rack 113. The shaft 132carrying the pinion 133 rotates in a clockwise direction, moving therack 11 3 away from the keyboard thereby to cause the type bar 114 torotate down into a striking position.

It will be noted that the character stops, such as the stops 73 and 74,slide into tilted grooves or channels such as the channels and 141 whenthey are tilted toward the keyboard. The character stop 73 is thusillustrated in the forward tilted position and is inside the channel142. On the other hand, the movement of the selector bar 85 away fromthe keyboard erected the character stop 74 so that it travels into avertically oriented channel 143. Channel 143 is immediately adjacent thechannel 142. The orientation of such channels is the same as that shownin FIG. 10. In FIG. 10 the end character stop 73 may be seen tiltedforward into the vertical slot with a sloping side. The character stop74 is vertically oriented and is erect within the vertical channel. Eachvertical channel, such as the channel 143, is provided adjacent asloping channel and is provided with a shoulder therein about midway ofthe block 144. Thus the slide bar 71 will move the shaft 72 transverselyuntil a given character stop registers against the shoulder at the endof the vertical slot, such as the slot 143.

A spacing operation is carried out immediately prior to the strikingaction which causes the key to impinge the paper 15 at TIP. This isaccomplished through the crank arm which is mounted on a crank wheel 151which in turn is mounted on shaft 123. The crank arm 150 has a follower152 which bears against a surface 153 of a pusher bar 154. The bar 154is linked to a protru sion 155 on the splined sleeve '110 to move theunit 110 in the direction of arrow 156. A rod 157 extending from thesleeve 110 carries a slotted arm 158 which engages a shaft extendingfrom the shaft 159. Shaft 159 is mounted on a crank arm 160 which issecured to a shaft 161.

The shaft 161 drives a clutch 162. The upper element 163 of the clutchmay be moved in either forward or reverse direction as the arm 158 movesbackward and forward under control of the push bar 154. However, thelower element 164 is ratcheted by means not shown so that it will moveonly in one direction. The lower element is coupled to a shaft 165 whichin turn is coupled to a bevel gear 166 which drives a second bevel gear167 mounted on a shaft 168. A spiral or worm gear 169 is mounted onshaft 168 and cooperates with a rack 170. Thus, as any of Keys 1-4 isdepressed, unit 10 is moved to the right one space by the action of thepusher bar 154 and the clutch unit 162.

Provision is made for varying the spacing of unit 10. More particularly,the sleeve 110 is threaded internally. The threads at location 170 areof one sense and the threads at location 171 are of opposite sense.Rotation of the crank 108 under the forces developed by the characterstop 74 will rotate the crank 109 and thus rotate the sleeve section 110to either shorten or lengthen the distance between the protrusion 155and the arm 158. This serves to modify the stroke of the spacingmechanism effected by the pusher bar 154.

The extent of the modification of the spacer operation is controlled bythe shape of the character stops 73-74, etc. This is best illustrated inFIG. 6 where the character stop 74 is shown in contact with the arm 106.The shaft 72 carries the character stop to the left, asviewed in FIG. 6,until it is arrested in its travel by the shoulder 180. However, beforethe character stop '74 strikes the shoulder 180, it strikes theextension 106' of the arm 106. Some of the character stops, such as stop74, will be a solid block of rectangular configuration as shown in FIG.6. Others will be milled in the upper end thereof to either of twodegrees. More particularly, a stop milled for intermediate spacing wouldbe milled to a depth represented by line 74a and stops for minimumspacing would be milled to a second depth represented by line 74b. Ifthe character stop 74 is not milled at all, it will effect a greaterrotation of the arm 108 about shaft 107 to modify the spacer action to asubstantial extent. If it is milled to the extent represented by thedotted line 74a, it will modify the spacer movement to an intermediatedegree. If it is milled to the point represented by line 74b, it willnot modify the spacer movement at all. One extremity of modificationrepresents a letter or symbol of substantial width. Modification to anintermediate degree as represented by the line 74a is for a normal sizeletter. Modification as represented by the other extermity is toaccommodate characters or symbols of narrow space configuration. Thus,the spacing effected is proportional to the size of letter or characterbeing imprinted and each of the character stops is individually tailoredin dependence upon the particular letter or symbol with respect to whichit is associated.

It will be noted that each of the type bar heads is pivotally mounted atthe end of the type bar. An indicated, the type bar 114 has a head 114awhich is pivoted about a shaft 114]). The head has two type faces 1140and 114d. Rotation of the head about the axis 114b may be effected toselect either upper or lower case letters of the alphabet or large sizeor small size numerals. The rotation of the head is produced by alinkage including a spring 1142 which is connected to the rearextensions 114 of the head and to a slider block 114g. The spring 114eis curved to be received in the pair of depressions which are spacedapart along the back or the spine of the type bar structure. When spring1142 is in the lower of the slots, as illustrated in FIG. 5, the symbolon the face 1140 will be impressed on the paper. If the slide block 114gis urged outward toward the tip of the key to move the spring detentinto the groove nearest the end of the key, then the symbol on the face114d will be impressed upon the paper. The slide block 114g may bepreset or preselected by operation of the tab 34. The tab 34 is mountedon a shaft 190 which is journaled as to be fixed in its position.However, as it rotates, it serves to move a crank arm 191 which issecured thereto. The crank arm 191 carries a handle or extension 192which operates in a slot 193' in a slide bar 194. As the tab 34 isrotated in one direction or the other for the selection of upper orlower case letters, the slide bar 194 move-s upwardly or downwardlydepending upon the selection made. The slide bar 194 carries arearwardly extending arm 195 from which there extends a plurality ofslotted bars 196. The bars, such as bar 196, extend parallel to theshaft 72. Only one of the bars, bar 196, has been illustrated in FIG. 5,the remaining five like bars being shown in FIG. 7. The bars normallyare positioned immediately in front of a given rank of type bars withrespect to which they are to operate. The bar 196 serves to couple theupward or downward movement of the slide bar 194 to a linkage which iscoupled to the slide tabs, such as the tab 114g on type bar 114. Moreparticularly, a standard 197 is mounted on shaft 72 and extends upwardlywhere it supports at its upper end a bar 19$,having a channeled frontsurface. The bar 198 is normally positioned immediately behind the rankof keys in registration with the tabs such as tab 114g. The tab 114gnests within the front facing channel of the bar 198. The standard 197is telescopically adjustable so that as the slotted bar 196 moves upwardor downward into one of the two positions, the telescoping action in thestandard 197 permits the channel 198 to move upward or downward. Therotation of the tab 34 from upper case to lower case serves to raise allof the bars, such as bar 196, and all of the channels, such as channel198, simultaneously to rotate all of the heads of all of the type barsfrom upper case to lower case position.

The symbols on the heads of the type bars may be formed from rubber orother resilient type or they may be metallic in character. In order toprovide a quietly operating device, it is found preferable to select aresilient material. This also lends to economy in construction.Immediately in front of each of the heads of the type bars there isprovided an ink pad, such as the pad 200. Such a pad is provided foreach of the ranks, only one of them having been shown.

The ink pad 200 is mounted at the upper end of the crank arm 201 whichis pivoted relative to a shaft 202. The lower end of the crank arm 201engages a rack device 203 so that it will be rotated about shaft 202upon translational movement of the rack 203. The rack 203 is coupled toa horizontally extending arm 204 which is engaged by a pusher rod 205.The pusher rod 205 is coupled to a shaft 206 by way of a crank arm 207.The crank arm 207 is mounted for rotation about axis 208. The shaft orarm 206 is actuated under the control of the selector bars. Moreparticularly, as illustrated, the selector bar 87 has an undercut groove87a in the bottom surface thereof in which a follower 210 normally ispositioned. Normally the ink pad 200 is in contact with the rank of keyswith which it is associated in order to maintain each rank in readinessfor printing operations. However, as one of the selector bars 81-88 ismoved away from the keyboard for the selection of a given type bar, themovement of the bar forces the follower 210 downwardly out of thegroove, thus rotating the crank arm 207 in a counterclockwise directionwhich moves the pusher bar 205 away from the keyboard, therebyretracting the ink pads from contact with the rank of keys.

It will be noted that an arm 204a extends into engagement at the righthand end with an edge of the member 194. This serves as an auxiliaryactuator for the ink pad 200 and serves to retract the ink pad when thecapital shift lever 34 is operated to change between upper and lowercase letters. This will permit the type block such as block 114a torotate about axis 114b without interference by the ink pad.

Finally, it will be noted that the spacer bar 35 is rotatable about anaxis 212 and is coupled by way of linkage 213 to an extension 214 of theslide bar 154 which is provided for spacing operations. Actuation ofspacer bar 35 causes translation of bar 214 to space the unit 10.

From the foregoing it will be seen that this printing machine consistsof several interrelated systems which are coordinated in their operationto effect the ultimate printing of a selected key. The entire printingoperation results from key movement toward or away from the operator andkey depression. The Keys 1-4 are held upward in their normal positionsby springs (not shown). A first system selects the column in which thedesired character is located and retracts the inking pads. The secondsystem selects the row or rank of keys in which the selected characteris located. It is this second system which is operated by the tabs 32and 33. The third system provides a spacing action which is proportionedto the normality of the character desired. The fourth system providesthe means of striking the type at the TIP. The systems are interlockedmechanically to provide proper timing. The fifth system provides forshifting of the type characters to provide upper or lower case lettersor numerals. A sixth system provides for the actual shift of the systemrelative to the paper.

Preferably, as indicated in FIG. 3, the keyboard is so coordinated thatthe letters desired are located in the odd numbered columns operated bythe odd numbered selector bars 81, 83, 85 and 87. Provision is made forrapidly shifting from odd numbered to even numbered columns by strikingthe tabs 32 or 33.

In FIGS. 7, 8 and 9 like parts have been given the same referencecharacters as in FIGS. and 6 and are included for providing a betterunderstanding of the construction of the system.

In FIG. 7 the relative positions of the ranks of keys in their normalposition as well as the position of the fourth rank for the printing ofthe character N is illustrated. In the outline at point 220 there isillustrated the position of the first rank of keys prior to beingtranslated from their normal position out to the position necessary forprinting the symbol No. 4.

As best seen in FIG. 8, the shafts, such as shaft 72, are hollow in theends thereof so that they telescope over axially aligned confrontingrods. More particularly, the shaft 72 telescopes over a rod 230 whichextends from a frame element 231 and is normally coaxial with the shaft72. However, the end of the rod 230 stops short of the end of the shaft72 in its normal position. However, when the rank of type bars carriedby shaft 72 is moved out for printing, the end of the shaft is supportedby the rod 230. The rods, however, stop short of the location of theprinting line so that a type bar in any one of the ranks can be actuatedfor printing operation without being impeded by the shafts.

As illustrated in FIG. 9, the type bars stand in ranks of differentheights, the heights being proportional to the distance from the typeimpact point, TIP. The rack 113 is slidably mounted beneath the ranks oftype bars and at the position of the printing line in order to actuateany key moved into registration therewith. It will receive and cooperatewith any key in any rank.

While the foregoing has been illustrated and described in terms of acompletely manually operable system, it is to be understood that amotor-driven unit may be provided in accordance with the generalprinciples aforementioned in order that the motive power for all of thetranslational operations in the various functions carried out may bekeyed by the depression of a given one of the Keys 14. However, theselection of row, column and key, as well as upper and lower caseselection, will be a manual function and will require the familiarityfor which the operator will readily develop dexterity in use of thedevice.

Referring now to FIG. 11, there is illustrated, in enlarged scale, amechanism relating to spacing both along the length of the bar 12, FIG.1, and along the length of the bar 11, FIG. 1. The bar 12 has been showncut away with some parts omitted. The first function to be describedrelates to the return of the printer to the left margin. A linkage isprovided which is adapted to permit free movement of the unit 10 alongthe bar 11. It will be recalled that the worm gear 169 operates in arack 170 which is mounted at the back of the unit 10. The rack 170 formsa part of the guide bar 11. The unit 10 is securely fixed with respectto the slide unit 250 so that it must move therewith. The shaft 165 isjournaled in the slide unit 250 so that rotation of the shaft willrotate the worm gear 169, thereby to move the unit 10 along with theslider 250. If the unit 10 is to be moved freely along the length of thebar, it is necessary to disengage the worm gear 169 from the rack 270.The following structure is provided for accomplishing the foregoingfunction. A handle 251 is pivotally supported on shaft 252. The shaft252 is to be connected (by means not shown) to the frame 253 of the unit10. Rotation of the lever 251 in the direction of arrow 254 moves thebar 255 rearwardly. The bar 255 passes slidably through block 256 whichis connected to the slide unit 250. Bar 255 extends rearwardly of theblock 256 where it extends downwardly and carries at the end thereof arotatable follower 257. The follower 257 engages the front of surface ofa bar 258 which extends the length of the guide bar 11. The bar 258 islinked to the guide bar 11 by means of the link 259 and a similar linkat the opposite end (not shown). Bar 258 is urged toward the bar 11 bymeans of a spring 260.

The bar 258 is linked to the rack by means of a standard 265. Thestandard 265 is rotatably mounted on shaft 266. The shaft 266 issupported by the guide bar 11. When the standard 265 is rotated aboutthe axis 266, the rack 170 is lifted from engagement with the worm gear169. The bar 258 is linked to the standard 265 in the slidable linkagewithin the dotted outline 267.

When the lever 251 is rotated in the direction of arrow 254, thefollower 257 urges the bar 258 away from the guide bar 11. The linkage267 serves to rotate the standard 265 about axis 266 to disengage theworm gear 169 from the rack 170. Thus, the unit 10 may be freely movedalong the length of the bar 11 while the rack 170 is disengaged.

There will now be described the mechanism illustrated in FIG. 11 forpermitting movement of the unit 10 along with the guide bar 11 relativeto the side bar 12. The side bar 12 has been shown mostly cut away inorder that the functions may be clearly shown. The side bar 12 ismounted within a nested slide unit. More particularly, the bar 12extends through a first slide member 360 which in turn is nested withina second slide memher 391. The bar 12 is fixed with respect to a workpiece such as the table of FIG. 1. Any movement of the bar 11 along bar12 must be by means of a sliding action of the unit 300 over the surfaceof the bar 12.

The bar 12 supports a rack 302 which is pivotally mounted for rotationabout axis 303 and is supported on a crank arm 304 at one end and on asimilar crank arm (not shown) on the other end of the bar 12. In normaloperations the slide unit 300 is moved relative to the bar 12 byoperation of the worm gear 310. Worm gear 311) is mounted on a shaft 311which is journaled in a bearing block 312. A pair of bevel gears 313 and31d couple the worm gear 310 to a clutch unit.

The wheel 316 is mounted rigidly to the shaft which is keyed to bevelgear 314 and provides fine adjustment of the position of bar 11. Wheel316 rotates incidentally when the automatic system from bar 331 operatesbut is capable of repositioning bar 11 in either direction whereas theclutch system works only to bring bar 11 toward the operator forordinary line-to-line printing.

The rack 302 may be retracted from engagement with the worm gear 310 byrotation on shaft 303. This is accomplished by use of a push button 317which is connected by way of rod 318 to a linkage 319. By pushing therod 317 in the direction of arrow 320, the rack 302 will be rotated outof the engagement with the worm gear 310. The rack is maintainednormally enmeshed with the worm gear 310 by a spring 321 which ismounted in the bearing block 322 through which the shaft 318 passes. Theblock 322 is mounted to slider unit 300.

A linkage is provided for moving the guide bar 11 relative to the sidebar 12 with uniform spacing in order to place one line uniformly belowthe next preceding line in the following manner.

A standard 330 is a part of and secured to the slide unit 300. At theupper end thereof there is provided a button 331 which normally isbiased in a retracted position by a spring 332. Actuation of button 331is by bumper 331a on unit 10, FIG. 1. The shaft 333 coupled to thebutton 331 extends through the upper end of the standard 330 and carriesa slotted plate 334. The slot 335 in the plate 334 cooperates with acrank arm 336 to impart rotational motion to the outer shaft tube whichis connected to the upper or driving element of the clutch 315. Bypushing the button 331 through a maximum stroke, there will be impartedthrough the clutch 315 a rotational movement to the worm gear 310 tomove the spacer bar 11 a uniform preset space in the direction of thearrow 337. The limit of such spacing action is preset and is adjustablethrough use of screw 331b which is threadedly mounted in standard 322and serves to limit motion of plate 334.

It will be noted that the guide rod 11 is mounted on the side bar 12 bymeans of the intermediary slide unit 300. The outer slide bar 301 isintegrally connected to the guide bar 11. This structure is provided inorder to permit a unique spacing operation as would permit printing offractional numbers. For this purpose there is provided a control stick340. The control stick 340 is pivotally mounted so that it can be moveduniversally. More particularly, a universal coupling 341 interconnectsthe stick 340 to the inner slide member 300. The stick 340 may be movedin the direction of arrow 342 or arrow 343 in varying degree andcombinations thereof.

Movement in the direction of arrow 342 is for the purpose of moving therack 170 laterally with respect to the guide bar 11. More particularly,it will be noted that a bar 345 is coupled by way of a pin 346 to thestick 340. The bar 345 is slidable with reference to the bearing 347.The end of the bar 345 engages an arcuate channel 350 in an arm 351which slides in the standard 265 and is coupled to the rack 170.Movement of the stick 340 in the direction of arrow 342 thus moves therack 170 in the direction of arrow 342. With the worm gear 169 enmeshedin the rack 170, the unit as coupled to the slide unit 250 will move.

The movement of the stick 340 in the direction of arrow 343 serves tomove the second slide element 301 relative to the slide element 300. Itwill be remembered that the slide element 300 is linked to the rack 302by the worm gear 310. The slide movement of the unit 301 relative tounit 300 carries the guide bar 11 with it along with the print device10.

The foregoing operation is performed as follows. As the stick 340 ispivoted in the universal coupling 341, the shaft hi the bearing 347 willmove in the direction of arrow 343. Bearing 347 is mounted on the upperend of a crank arm 360 which is pivoted about an axis 361. The crank arm360 carries a pin 362 which engages an S-shaped cam slot 363 in the lefthand face of the slide follower 301. With the rod 340 in a normalposition, that is, straight up or vertical, the pin 362 will bepositioned at a midpoint in the slot 363. As the stick 340 is pushedaway from the front of the unit, that is, towards the back of the table,the pin 362 is moved upward, thus forcing the follower 301 toward theback of the table. In this position, numbers, for example, representingthe numerator of a fraction, may be printed. Immediately following this,the stick 340 may be pulled toward the operator and toward the front ofthe table, in which case the pin 362 moves downwardly. This forces theslide follower 301 toward the front of the table. In this position thedenominator of a fraction may be printed immediately under thenumerator. A fraction having two numbers in the numerator anddenominator may be printed by moving the stick 340 to the four cornersof the limits of its trajectory. With the automatic spacing action ofthe printer disengaged, all four of the parts of a fraction may beprinted merely by the spacing effected through operation of the stick340.

Normally the stick 340 is fixed in position by pin 370 engaged in a hole371 in the upper surface of the frame element 372. Frame element 372,although shown fragmentarily, is fixed for movement with the unit 300.

Pin 370 is retracted from hole 371 by depression of but-' ton 3'74 inthe top of stick 340. This moves arm 375 downward, permitting movementof the stick as indicated by arrows 342 and 343.

From the foregoing it will be seen that there are five basic controlactions in the system which are as follows.

First, the printing machine frame is located such that the TIP will beadiacent to the point at which a symbol is to be impressed on thereceiving medium.

Second, the capital shift lever 34 is actuated to the desired positionfor upper or lower case letters or for small or large numerals or otherlegends or characters as indicated on the upper front plate, FIG. 2.

Third, the column selector tabs 32 or 33 are actuated for selecting thecolumn containing the desired symbol.

Fourth, the keyboard comprising the four keys is moved as necessary,either forward or backward, until the loop 31, FIG. 1, indicates the rowwhich includes the desired symbol.

Fifth, the key associated with the column in which the desired symbol islocated is depressed. When the key is depressed, the following actionstake place:

(1) all six of the ink pads (such as pad 200, FIG. 5) move away from thetype faces on the type bars;

(2) the frame of the unit 10 begins movement toward the1 right to spacethe TIP from previously printed sym- (3) one of the selector bars(81-88, FIG. 5) moves rearward to move the selector stop in the columnlinked to the depressed key;

(4) the slide bar 72 carrying a row of type bars moves the left after adelay required for step (3). The slide bar moves until the selector stopmeets the stop surface 180 (FIG. 5);

(5) the selector stop acts on link 108 prior to meeting the stop surface180, thus actuating the spacer-modifier linkages 110 and 110. At thistime in the print cycle the spacer motion is completed and modified asat the particular selector stop;

(6) shaft 123, which is a timing shaft, continues its rotation and isurged by the continued key depressing force to act upon bar 126. Thiscauses the striker system to force the type bar forward rotating itabout its mounting axis 72 to imprint on the paper.

All of the elements involved in the foregoing operations return tonormal positions in reverse order after depression of a selected key.After each impression of a symbol on the receiving medium, all six rowsof type faces are again in contact with the ink pads where repeatedcontact provides adequate ink for printing dense, opaque characterswithout imparting excessive ink in on the type faces.

It will be appreciated that the foregoing control actions and printingoperations may be produced from a remote keyboard or may be motor-drivenin response to a local keyboard. However, for the purpose of the presentdescription direct mechanical linkages to the local keyboard have beenshown.

The machine is characterized as including a multi-key assembly with atype bar grid formed of a plurality of rows and columns of type barswith a striker member extending along the grid at one margin thereof. Anindexing linkage operable from the key assembly is provided forselection of any row in the grid. A first linkage is responsive todepression of any one key in the assembly for movement of the selectedrow from the grid into engagement with the striker member. A stop meansis provided for limiting movement of the selected row for registrationof a given type bar with the striker member. The selected type bar bearsa positional relation in the selected row which is related to theposition of the depressed key in the key assembly. A delayed actionlinkage is responsive to the key depression to actuate the strikermember to produce printing action by the given type bar at a typeimpression point.

Now that the invention as embodied in the printing machine shown in thedrawings has been described in detail, it will now be appreciated thatthere is provided a system which can be operated by one hand and thatthe operations necessary to select and print any one of 48 differentcharacters or letters can be accomplished by minimal movement of thefour fingers primarily backward and forward and then depressing one ofthe four keys. All operations are carried out with the hand cupped as toplace the fingertips in the key receptacles. The detent mechanism 53-54of FIG. provides an audible signal or a signal that is sensible throughthe touch of the fingers as to the position. Alternate grooves intowhich the wheel 54 falls may be covered with a material or so coated asto give different sound than that produced when the wheel 54 moves intoregistration with the uncoated or untreated grooves. Thus, the forwardand backward positions of the keys can be reduced to essentially threedifferent groups of positions which can be then more easily operated bythe secondary senses of an operator. All operations can be carried outwithout removing the fingers from one key to another. Each finger holdsthe key without changing to any other key to actuate the characters.This minimizes the travel distance that each finger must traverse from aselection of one character to a selection of another. The forward andbackward motion of the keys in practice is limited to about A: of aninch maximum travel. Only one-eighth of an inch movement would berequired to select characters in adjacent rows of characters. Eliminatedentirely is the need for lateral movement of the fingers as ischaratceristic in conventional typewriter keyboards. Thus, it isbelieved that there is a significant advance embodied in the provisionof the keyboard in which all of the fingers move together as a group forpositioning or selecting a function. The keyboard arrangement forming asaddle with the spacer bar resting in the palm of the hand permits stillfurther advantages in reduction of movement for carrying out the desiredopertions.

It will be appreciated that different indicators other than the detent5354 may be employed. For example, any one of the keys might be soactuated in traveling from one row position to another as to tiltslightly on alternate rows so that merely by the attitude of a given keywould an operator know whether the selection was for an odd or an evenrow. Furthermore, it will be noted in FIG. 3 particularly that thedevice is arranged in a normal or natural attitude particularly incomparison to symbols being written in the usual method employing a penor pencil. In the present case the hand is situated slightly above andto the right of the TIP. Furthermore, as each letter is written, thetype bars are retracted, leaving the newly printed symbol or letterclearly exposed to the view of the operator with the hand and themachine in approximately an accustomed writing position relative to thenewly printed matter. The printing machine is spaced to the right justprior to the imprintation of each symbol. Thus, all of the movements arenatural and yet readily sensible to the operator even though 48different symbols may be selected through the combination of six rowsand eight columns selectable by operation of four keys and the columnselector tabs. While the printing machine has been illustrated asmounted on a pair of guide bars to be positioned at any point over theface of the work, it will be further appreciated that differentmountings may be designed for the printing machine in order that it maybe used in environments other than the formal drafting table environmentillustrated in FIG. 1. For example, the machine may be placed onrollers, permitting lateral movement and driven in response to theimpression of the key so that it might be moved freely from oneenvironment to another and yet provide linear movement for spacing oneletter from another.

Having described the invention in connection with certain specificembodiments thereof, it is to be understood that further modificationsmay now suggest themselves to those skilled in the art and it isintended to cover such modifications as fall within the scope of theappended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A printing machine which comprises:

(a) a multi-key assembly,

(b) a type bar grid having a plurality of rows of type bars,

(0) a type bar actuating member extending along said grid at one marginthereof,

(d) an indexing linkage operable from said multi-key assembly forselection of any row in said grid,

(e) a first linkage responsive to depression of any one key in saidassembly for movement of the selected row from said grid into engagementwith said actuating member,

(f) stop means for limiting movement of said selected row forregistration of a given type bar with said actuating member, which giventype bar is positionally related in said selected row to the location ofsaid one key in said assembly, and

(g) a delayed action linkage responsive to said depression of said onekey for actuation of said actuating member to produce printing action bysaid given type bar.

2. A printing machine which comprises:

(a) a multi-key assembly,

(b) a type bar grid having a plurality of rows of type bars,

(0) a type bar actuating member extending along said grid at one marginthereof,

(d) an indexing linkage responsive to movement of said key assembly forselection of any row in said grid,

(e) a first linkage responsive to depression of any one key in saidassembly for movement of the selected row from said grid into engagementwith said actuating member,

(f) stop means for limiting movement of said selected row forregistration of a given type bar with said actuating member, which giventype bar is positionally related in said selected row to the location ofsaid one key in said assembly, and

(g) a delayed action linkage responsive to said depression of said onekey for actuation of said actuating member to produce printing action bysaid given type bar.

, 3. In a printing machine in which there is provided a multi-keyassembly and multi-row type bar assembly the combination whichcomprises:

(a) a type bar actuating member coupled to all keys in said key assemblyand actuated upon depression of any one of said keys,

(b) a row selection linkage including a translatable support means forsaid multi-key assembly and operable upon translation of said multi-keyassembly to index on one of the rows of type bars, and

(c) type bar translation linkage operable in response to said depressionof said one of said keys prior to actuation of said actuating member fortranslation of said one of the rows of type bars from their normalposition in said type bar assembly to an operating position wherein oneof said plurality of type bars is in registration with said actuatingmember.

4. In a printing machine in which four keys and a multi-row type barassembly are provided the combination which comprises:

(a) a type bar actuating member actuated upon depression of any one keyof said four keys,

(b) a type bar selection linkage operable in response to said depressionof said one key but prior to actuation of said actuating member formovement of one row from its normal position in said type bar assemblyto an operating position wherein one of the type bars in said one row isin registration with said actuating member, and

(c) a row indexing linkage including a translatable support for all ofsaid keys and actuated by translational movement of said keys forindexing said type bar selection linkage with a selected one of the rowsin said type bar assembly.

5. In a printing machine in which there is provided a multi-key assemblyand a multi-row type bar assembly the combination which comprises: 7

(a) a frame for support of both of the assemblies,

(b) a type bar actuating member actuated upon depression of any one keyin said key assembly,

(c) a type bar selection linkage operable in response to said depressionof said one key but prior to actuation of said actuating member formovement of one row of the type bars from its normal position in saidtype bar assembly to an operating position wherein one of said pluralityof type bars is placed into registration with said actuating member,

(d) a row indexing linkage including a translatable support for said keyassembly and actuatedupon translational movement of said key assemblyfor indexing said type bar selection linkage with a selected one of therows in said type bar assembly, and

(e) a row stop selector linkage extending to said one key for limitingmovement of said one row in proportion to the position of said one keyin said key assembly whereby the type bar placed in registration withsaid actuating member positionally is related to said one key.

6. In a machine for printing symbols of varying widths on a planarworkpiece with uniform spacing therebetween and in which there isprovided a multi-key assembly and a multi-element type bar assembly, thecombination which comprises:

(a) a frame support of both of the assemblies,

(b) guide means adjustably coupled to said frame for control of theposition of said frame over said workpiece,

(c) a type bar striker member,

(d) at least two linkages extending from each of the keys in said keyassembly,

(i) one of said linkages from each said key leading to the couplingbetween said frame and said guide means and being actuated upondepression of any one key to move said frame a step along said guidebar,

(ii) the other of said linkages forming a delay linkage leading to saidstriker member after said frame moves said step, and

(e) means related to each type bar for modifying the magnitude of saidstep in dependence upon the width of the symbol characterizing each saidtype bar.

7. In a machine for printing symbols the combination which comprises:

(a) a frame having a keyboard of four keys at the front thereof,

(b) an assembly of rows and columns of type bars of heights dependentupon distance of each row from the front of said frame,

() a type bar actuating member extending along one side of saidassembly,

(d) slidable members for individually supporting each of said rows oftype bars,

(e) delay linkages coupling each of said keys to said actuating memberfor delayed actuation thereof,

(f) a row translating mechanism operable by depression of any one ofsaid keys for moving any one row of type bars from its normal positionin said assembly to an operating position with one type bar in said onerow engaging said actuating member,

(g) an indexing linkage between said keyboard and said translatingmechanism for selection of said one row from said assembly, and

(h) linkages between each of said keys and said assembly for limitingmovement of any row by said translating means in dependence upon therelative position on said keyboard of said one of said keys.

8. A printing machine which comprises:

(a) a plurality of type bars forming a grid in which each type bar ismovable from its position in said 16 grid to a print position,

(b) a translatable keyboard,

(c) a first linkage extending from said keyboard to said grid forestablishing a first type bar selection function upon translation ofsaid keyboard, and

(d) a second linkage responsive to movement of any key in said keyboardfor establishing a second type bar selection function.

9. A printing machine which comprises:

(a) a frame,

(b) a keyboard including four keys at the front of said frame,

(c) a spacer bar forward of said four keys,

((1) column selector tabs positioned above and to the side of said keys,

(e) a plurality of rows of type bars spaced apart rearwardlyof saidkeyboard with the heights of the rows being dependent upon the distancefrom the front of said frame, each of said rows being divided into fourpairs of type bars,

(f) a slidable support for each of said rows,

(g) a translating mechanism adjustably mounted on one side of saidassembly selectively to move any one of said rows of type bars from saidassembly,

(h) a type bar actuating member positioned on the side of said assemblyopposite said translating mechanism,

(i) a translating mechanism indexing linkage extending from saidkeyboard for initial selection of one of said rows,

(j) a column stop selector means linked separately to each of said keysand adjustable to either of two positions in response to actuation ofsaid column selector tabs,

(k) a first delay linkage operable following depression of any one ofsaid keys for actuating said translating mechanism, and

(l) a second delay linkage extending from all of said keys to said typebar actuating member for rotating any type bar actuated by said memberto a type impression point.

10. A printing machine comprising:

(a) an array of rows and columns of symbol units,

(b) type bars for individually supporting said symbol units in said rowsand columns,

(0) a keyboard of four keys adapted selectively to move any one of saidsymbol units from said array to a type impression point,

((1) an aligning bar supporting said machine on a surface to beimpressed with said symbol units,

(e) a linkage to said keys operable to modify stepwise the position ofsaid machine along said bar,

(f) a release mechanism adapted to permit free slide movement of saidmachine relative to said bar to an indexing station, and

(g) means for engaging said machine at said indexing station to movesaid machine and said aligning bar a predetermined distance in adirection over said surface perpendicular to said aligning bar.

11. In a key operated machine having more than four symbol impressingelements adapted individually to be moved to an impression point andeach responsive to a particular combination of two independent selectionfunctions, the combination which comprises:

(a) four keys disposed in an array corresponding with the positions offinger tips of a relaxed cupped human hand,

(b) slide mounting means for said keys for movement of said keys inunison toward and away from the heel of said hand upon flexure of thefingers for performing one of said selection functions, and

(0) individual linkages from each of said four keys operable upondepression of a given key for performing the second of said selectionfunctions.

12. In a key operated machine having more than four symbol impressingelements adapted individually to be move-d to an impression point andeach responsive to a particular combination of two independent selectionfunctions, the combination which comprises:

(a) four keys disposed in an array corresponding with the positions offinger tips of a relaxed cupped human hand,

(b) slide mounting means for said keys for movement of said keys inunison toward and away from the heel of said hand upon flexure of thefingers for performing one of said selection functions,

() means operable upon the slide movement of said keys to each of aplurality of positions to produce a position designating sensibleindication, and

(d) individual linkages from each of said four keys operable upondepression of a given key for performing the second of said selectionfunctions.

13. In a key operated machine having more than four symbol impressingelements adapted individually to be moved to an impression point andeach responsive to a particular combination of two independent selectionfunctions, the combination which comprises:

(a) four keys disposed in an array corresponding with the positions offinger tips of a relaxed cupped human hand,

(b) slide mounting means for said keys for movement of said keys inunison toward and away from the heel of said hand upon flexure of thefingers for performing one of said selection functions,

(c) indicating means operable upon the slide movement of said keys toproduce an audible position designating sensible signal, and

((1) individual linkages from each of said four keys operable upondepression of a given key for performing the second of said selectionfunctions.

14. In a key operated machine having more than four symbol impressingelements adapted individually to be moved to an impression point andeach responsive to a particular combination of two independent selectionfunctions, the combination which comprises:

(a) four keys disposed in an array corresponding with the positions offinger tips of a relaxed cupped human hand,

(b) slide mounting means for said keys for movement of said keys inunison toward and away from the heel of said hand upon flexure of thefingers for performing one of said selection functions,

(c) means operable upon slide movement of said keys to each of aplurality of positions to produce a touch sensible position designatingindication, and

(d) individual linkages from each of said four keys operable upondepression of a given key for performing the second of said selectionfunctions.

15. In a key operated machine having symbol impressing elements arrayedin rows and four primary columns and adapted selectively to be moved toan impression point in response to a unique combination of twoindependent selection functions for each of said elements, thecombination which comprises:

(a) four keys disposed in an array corresponding with the positions offinger tips of a relaxed cupped hu man hand,

(b) slidable supports for said keys adapted for movement of said keys inunison toward and away from the heel of said hand upon flexure of thefingers for selecting one of said rows as one of said selec tionfunctions,

(0) individual linkages from each of said four keys operable upondepression of a given key for selecting one of said four primary columnsas the second of said selection functions, and

(d) a linkage from each of said keys to move the one of said elementscorresponding in position with the conjunction of said one of said rowsand said one of said four primary columns to said impression point upondepression of said given key.

16. In a machine having means for carrying out a plurality of operablefunctions which may be selectable from any one of a plurality ofsubgroups of functions, the combination which comprises:

(a) a keyboard having four keys,

(b) means for supporting said keys for movement as a body toward andaway from an operator,

(c) linkages extending between said keys and said means for carrying outsaid functions and variable in response to said movement toward and awayfrom an operator, and

(d) separate linkages from each of said keys to said means for carryingout said functions and variable upon depression of any one of said keyswhereby said functions may be selected individually from said subgroupsby selecting the position of said keys and then depressing one of saidkeys.

17. In a key operated machine having more than four symbol impressingelements adapted individually to be moved to an impression point andeach responsive to a particular combination of two independent selectionfunctions, the combination which comprises:

(a) four keys disposed in an array corresponding with the positions offinger tips of a relaxed cupped human hand,

(b) linkages including slide mounting means for said keys for movementof said keys in unison toward and away from the heel of said hand uponflexure of the fingers, said linkages being variable in response to saidmovement for performing one of said selection functions,

(0) detent-follower means for signaling variations in positions of saidkeys, and

(d) individual linkages from each of said four keys variable upondepression of a given key for performing the second of said selectionfunctions.

18. A printing machine which comprises:

(a) a keyboard mounted for translation thereof while permittingindependent depression of any of the keys therein,

(b) a plurality of rows of type elements forming a type element array,

(c) a first linkage coupled between said array and said keyboard andoperable upon translation of said keyboard to move a selected row ofelements into a type selector position,

(d) a type bar actuating element mounted for engagement with the elementof said array at a printing position, and

(e) a second linkage extending from said keyboard both to said array andto said actuating element for sequentially moving a selected one of saidtype elements to said printing position followed by engagement thereofby said actuating element to move said selected one from its row to atype impression point.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 582,898 5/1897Cahill 197-11 661,849 11/1900 Carrnona 197-23 1,347,290 7/1920 Pope197-11 1,725,231 8/1929 Underwood 197-2 2,031,017 2/1936 Tevis 197-112,369,433 2/ 1945 Casey 197-2 2,527,016 10/1950 Loung 197-2 2,670,8313/1954 Barrett et a1. 197-2 2,873,013 2/1959 Thiene et al. 197-2 ROBERTE. PULFREY, Primary Examiner.

ROBERT A. LEIGHY, Examiner.

1. A PRINTING MACHINE WHICH COMPRISES: (A) A MULTI-KEY ASSEMBLY, (B) ATYPE BAR GRID HAVING A PLURALITY OF ROWS OF TYPE BARS, (C) A TYPE BARACTUATING MEMBER EXTENDING ALONG SAID GRID AT ONE MARGIN THEREOF, (D) ANINDEXING LINKAGE OPERABLE FROM SAID MULTI-KEY ASSEMBLY FOR SELECTION OFANY ROW IN SAID GRID, (E) A FIRST LINKAGE RESPONSIVE TO DEPRESSION OFANY ONE KEY IN SAID ASSEMBLY FOR MOVEMENT OF THE SELECTED ROW FROM SAIDGRID INTO ENGAGEMENT WITH SAID ACTUATING MEMBER, (F) STOP MEANS FORLIMITING MOVEMENT OF SAID SELECTED ROW FOR REGISTRATION OF A GIVEN TYPEBAR WITH SAID ACTUATING MEMBER, WHICH GIVEN TYPE BAR IS POSITITIONALLYRELATED IN SAID SELECTED ROW TO THE LOCATION OF SAID ONE KEY IN SAIDASSEMBLY, AND (G) A DELAYED ACTION LINKAGE RESPONSIVE TO SAID DEPRESSIONOF SAID ONE KEY FOR ACTUATION OF SAID ACTUATING MEMBER TO PRODUCEPRINTING ACTION BY SAID GIVEN TYPE BAR.